Clare Burren Marathon Challenge 26/05/2018

Baby75

Here is the website: http://www.clareburrenmarathonchallenge.com/
The most recent thread: https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=99235743
Course route profile for all routes: http://www.clareburrenmarathonchallenge.com/_pdf/RoutesProfile.pdf

This showed up on the IMRA website and after having a look at it and reading as much as I could find , I am going to do it I even have accommodation booked already
Anyone else doing it this year?

I have a plan to follow, but how else would you approach training making those hills a little easier on the day not chasing a time though just want to be as comfortable as one can be during such a challenge
I am thinking trail running/ hiking as well as road running

TFBubendorfer

I've been meaning to do this for about 10 years, it just never suited my calendar and/or clashes with a birthday in the family.

However, this year will be the year I'm really looking forward to it. Everyone I know who has done this race has raved about it.

As for training, I'll do the same as for any other marathon. I incorporate hilly runs in any marathon training anyway. I definitely won't be doing walking as part of my training, though.

Baby75

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

I've been meaning to do this for about 10 years, it just never suited my calendar and/or clashes with a birthday in the family.

However, this year will be the year I'm really looking forward to it. Everyone I know who has done this race has raved about it.

As for training, I'll do the same as for any other marathon. I incorporate hilly runs in any marathon training anyway. I definitely won't be doing walking as part of my training, though.

I have heard great reports as well

I love hilly runs myself so I know I won't have any problems working them in, I love trail running and doing some IMRA events which are great fun which can only help on the trail sections.

When I say hill walking, I will probably do that outside of my running for fun LOL and not in replacement of a run & work on powering up hills when they are too steep to run

OOnegative

Try introduce some downhill running into your training to, few steep descents on the course, more to help with the pain in the legs in the days after the race.

Neady83

I was going to reply to you on my log but it's better here where anyone who needs info on it can get it

I've done it twice and it's brilliant, I cannot recommend it highly enough. It's the perfect mixture of road and trail so it's perfect for anyone who hasn't been on trails before. The sections of trail aren't too technical or muddy and there are some epic downhill sections on the road so get your quads used to going downhill on the road. The route takes you over the Green road, high about the main road on the coast line, overlooking the Atlantic ocean and you skirt along Fanore beach.

Because it's organised by a hillwalking group, a lot of hikers walk the marathon route so there's a nice mix of runners and walkers on the day. The aid stations are plentiful and they're stocked with the best goodies plus the support from the volunteers is great. There's great camaraderie on the route - I've met some great people running there.

There one or two quite steep off-road sections, you'll see them in the distance so be prepared for them. You'll also see everyone power hike up there as it's really too steep to run - best to save the energy and make up the time on the downhill section on the other side.

Here are my race reports from 2016 and 2017. Mind you they include a middle of the night MTB to warm up so not a true reflection on the course

In terms of accommodation, Ballyvoughan has a few places to stay. Fanore, Doolin and Lisdoon aren't too far away and Kinvara is quite close too.

opus

Interesting, that would be 15 days before my crack at the Comrades down run so a solid dose of hills would be good. Will have to think on this a bit

Baby75

OOnegative wrote: »

Try introduce some downhill running into your training to, few steep descents on the course, more to help with the pain in the legs in the days after the race.

Oh hell yes ouch LOL I most certainly will, I have experienced that soreness after some runs


Neady83 great reports and you did amazing considering you mountain biked the course beforehand epic, I have actually booked accommodation in Kinvara thankfully mileage has been good the last two weeks and still getting longer distance in, 13.6 miles on Sunday so even starting a marathon training plan missing the first 2 weeks I am still on plan

ISOP

Flights booked

Neady83

ISOP wrote: »

Flights booked

Wow, all the way from London? I hope it doesn't disappoint.

Baby75

I was wondering, which would be better trail runners or your normal runners! or waiting to see how the weather is closer to the event and then decide

FX for mild dry weather

OOnegative

Baby75 wrote: »

I was wondering, which would be better trail runners or your normal runners! or waiting to see how the weather is closer to the event and then decide

FX for mild dry weather

Year I ran, 2013 I think, it was baking and I ran in normal road shoes. If it rains though you would want something with more grip i.e trail runners if the stones/shale are wet.

Neady83

OOnegative wrote: »

Year I ran, 2013 I think, it was baking and I ran in normal road shoes. If it rains though you would want something with more grip i.e trail runners if the stones/shale are wet.

+1 to that. The trails weren't too muddy even after a deluge last year so you're only relying on them for grip if it's wet and road runners are perfect its any way reasonable.

If you do end up wearing trail runners, wear ones that you'd be comfortable enough doing 10 odd mile on tarred road in.

No need for a backpack either, there are plenty of water and food stops along the way.

ISOP

Neady83 wrote: »

Wow, all the way from London? I hope it doesn't disappoint.

ex pat, I'm a local!

Baby75

Neady83 wrote: »

+1 to that. The trails weren't too muddy even after a deluge last year so you're only relying on them for grip if it's wet and road runners are perfect its any way reasonable.

If you do end up wearing trail runners, wear ones that you'd be comfortable enough doing 10 odd mile on tarred road in.

No need for a backpack either, there are plenty of water and food stops along the way.

excellent I will be looking forward to the food stops

opus

So I watched this video last night & that was all it took, I'm in!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOOuzbVRd_4

Baby75

opus wrote: »

So I watched this video last night & that was all it took, I'm in!

great choice of song

Kellygirl

That video is fab! If it wasn’t a week before Cork I’d love it.

Baby75

Kellygirl wrote: »

That video is fab! If it wasn’t a week before Cork I’d love it.

put it on a list for next year

TFBubendorfer

"Honey, I've got a great idea. Why don't we spend a weekend in the Burren this year for your birthday?"

"There wouldn't be a race involved, would there?"

"Just let me check. Well, wouldn't you believe it, what are the chances!"


To be fair, she knew what I was on about the second I opened my mouth

chickey2

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

"Honey, I've got a great idea. Why don't we spend a weekend in the Burren this year for your birthday?"

"There wouldn't be a race involved, would there?"

"Just let me check. Well, wouldn't you believe it, what are the chances!"


To be fair, she knew what I was on about the second I opened my mouth

So are you going?!

TFBubendorfer

chickey2 wrote: »

So are you going?!

She didn't object, so ... yes

Baby75

So how is the training going for everyone, has the snow stopped you getting out!
Lucky for me I managed to get out but had to change distance and miss my tempo run this week but thankfully roads are clear for long run tomorrow

TFBubendorfer

Baby75 wrote: »

So how is the training going for everyone, has the snow stopped you getting out!

Quite the opposite, the snow provided just the kind of resistance training that will be particularly helpful when preparing for an for an off-road race

Baby75

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Quite the opposite, the snow provided just the kind of resistance training that will be particularly helpful when preparing for an for an off-road race

Very true, I enjoyed getting out in it I was doing very well but missed my LSR due to a tummy bug

opus

Almost time for this now, must admit I'm really looking forward to it. How's everyone set?

ISOP

opus wrote: »

Almost time for this now, must admit I'm really looking forward to it. How's everyone set?

Really looking for ward to it now myself, have a few marathons done this year so in pretty good shape

TFBubendorfer

Me too, really looking forward to it

Roby073

Hi all! I am almost ready to do it even if I am not in a good shape.. I am starting to be anxious! in any case.. flight to dublin booked and car rented! See you there!

opus

Couldn't stop myself checking the weather today, this looks ok.

Roby073

It looks quite nice!

OOnegative

Enjoy lads, pray for a clear day to enjoy those views. Tad jealous!!!

acurno

Anyone planning to drive that morning from Galway city? The wifey won't be too impressed if I take our only car for 8 hours and leave her stranded!
Will pay for the fuel, both the unleaded and the isotonic type!

ISOP

What an incredible experience today. Breath taking views and great camaraderie

TFBubendorfer

ISOP wrote: »

What an incredible experience today. Breath taking views and great camaraderie

Absolutely agree.

Around mile 20, at the end of the last big climb, I looked up and the view almost took my breath away, and it had nothing to do with the fact that I was climbing a big hill. What a spectacular sight that was!

We were so lucky with the weather! On a rainy day that could have been a rather miserable experience.

Well done to everyone who did it, it was tough but totally worthwhile.

ger664

Hats off to the walking club again for this. Aid stations again are second to none stocked with all sorts of goodies. Took it really easy today and took in and enjoyed the scenery. The bag of Salt & Vinegar Taytos at the end was the icing on the cake.

opus

Wow what an event, my first time there & hopefully not my last. The views were stunning in parts and it had a bit of everything, road, trail & even a section along by a beach. The hill at mile 10 would beat anything at Comrades as it was a) steeper & b) a rocky trail where you had to watch your feet.



Nice to meet Thomas & ger664 there.

That's me done with long runs now 'til Comrades in a fortnight's time

opus

So here we are a year later Same deal as last year for me, the run in the Burren will be my last long run before Comrades. This time round, I'm just getting over the 74k Rennsteiglauf from last Sat so think I'll be taking it very handy indeed.

Anybody else giving it a go?

ger664

see u in the morning. Only race where u eat more then you burn

opus

Speak for yourself there Ger, I had one banana half in the whole thing Too bad it was dense fog on top of the plateau as the views are pretty spectacular from there. It's a pretty unique event, well worth doing for a change from the normal road marathons.

opus

Anyone know if this is on this year? There's a date on the website (May 23rd) but no entry link or anything.